How does your book club choose books?

[CA4Now]

Originally Posted by PeachyMJ

Whoever hosts, selects the book.

We tried this but it seemed to create so much stress on the host (cleaning, cooking, preparing, being stuck in the kitchen, etc) that h/she didn't get a chance to fully participate in the discussion. We now have to make sure that whoever is scheduled to host is not scheduled to choose the book. This problem might be eliminated for groups who don't serve a meal. (Personally, I don't like having a meal because it usually distracts from the discussion....but I got voted down).

[pinetreelover]

Originally Posted by CA4Now

We tried this but it seemed to create so much stress on the host (cleaning, cooking, preparing, being stuck in the kitchen, etc) that h/she didn't get a chance to fully participate in the discussion. We now have to make sure that whoever is scheduled to host is not scheduled to choose the book. This problem might be eliminated for groups who don't serve a meal. (Personally, I don't like having a meal because it usually distracts from the discussion....but I got voted down).

I agree - this is why we have the hostess choose the book that will be discussed two months later. At the end of the night, the hostess makes her "reveal".

Also, though this isn't a "rule", it is fun when the food that is served has something to do with the book. For instance, when we discussed The Great Gatsby, we had little finger sandwiches and "party" food. This month's, The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake, will feature spaghetti with marinara sauce and, of course, lemon cake.

[Giesela]

I haven't been able to find a book club. The one I attended at a library branch consisted of 3 people who seemed like they had been doing it for awhile and the whole personality thing was very set and sort of....it just didn't look like it was going to give me what I wanted from a book club.

[Penmanship]

Hosting the meeting place rotates among members; with the host having the honor of choosing the book to be read, and announces it at the meeting prior to the one she will be hosting/choosing/leading.